A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Chapter 57

Matteo

As I grew anxious, I ran towards Alexei and Mikhail. They were heading to

until I stopped them in their steps.

their car and had completely ignored my calls

While Mikhail and Alexei had an umbrella to cover them from the rain, I was already soaking wet as I stood in the rain. I knew how foolish / looked especially as the Sicilian leader but when it came to Alena, I was left with no choice.

Angelo had followed me but when he tried to offer me an umbrella, I politely declined and asked him to stay where he was. A few of my men were watching me from afar and I knew they felt pity for their leader; I had never made a fool out of myself. Now, I only embarrassed myself in front of the Bratva leaders.

Alexei clenched his jaw and for a short few seconds, I could see the sympathy in his eyes while Mikhail stood closer to the car, probably considered myself as a pathetic man.

"What are you doing, Matteo?" Alexei asked, shaking his head.

"You can't take Alena away from me."

"You've failed to protect her. It's better if we take the responsibility away from you,"

Responsibility. It felt like a hard slap to the face but I knew I needed to take it all in. Ever since Alena's kidnapping, I hadn't stopped blaming myself-couldn't sleep at night, kept getting throbbing headaches and even had nightmares whenever I fell asleep. My biggest fear had became a reality and for the first time in my life, I was scared.

"Mr. Lerclerc?" Angelo called out, asking permission if he could provide me an umbrella but I held my hand up, preventing

im from doing so.

"Matteo... we're not trying to start a war here. Alena is and always will be Russian. If things ever go wrong like this, we have the right to protect her ourselves." Alexei said, silencing me.

I shook my head, "We're married. She's my wife. How is it possible for me to let her go? I can't just let her go."

"You should've thought about that before this happened."

"It wasn't my intention!"

"It was nobody's intention but you failed regardless. You've proven that you're not worthy to take care of our Alena. What will you say if this happens again? What will you say to try and convince us? Words don't matter in this situation, Matteo. I sighed deeply, "I know but let me prove myself this time. Let me prove to you and Mikhail that I can take care of Alena. I know this isn't the first time but I assure you, this will be the last time. I'll die first before anyone can hurt her."

My eyes stared directly into his own as he stood quietly, probably processing his own thoughts. Maybe, just maybe, he was thinking of other things to say or considering any other options.

"What do you think this is, Matteo? A business transaction? We're talking about my daughter's life," Mikhail stepped in, in a

serious tone.

"I didn't mean it that way,"

"As a Sicilian leader, you should know better to overcome your enemies. You should know better to take care of your family.

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Chapter 57

If you

of your wife, what makes you think you're capable to take care of anyone else?

looked up into his eyes. The words had surprised Alexei as well as he stared at his father, not expecting

you could protect Marco either,

"Papa, that's enough."

straight in the face until he passed out. The

reminding myself that Alena was important. Her

through gritted

me. I knew he could sense my anger but he also knew he couldn't do much-he was a coward, from the moment he let Mikhail decided Viktor as Alena's future husband and he didn't try to stop his

to be a blessing in my life, despite

"Alexei ... please,"

it's over.

to stop in his steps. "I'm begging you, Alexei. I'd do anything. I swear

you're embarrassing yourself in front of your

let me bring her back and please don't take her away from

to look

got in the car. As soon as he closed the door, their chauffeur drove out of my territory-leaving me

few minutes, trying to

Do you want to

me through thick and thin, even during Sofia. He had watched me succeed and also through my greatest downfall-never once did he wanted to leave. He had stayed loyal and proved his loyalty through every hardships.

I didn't care if they saw me as weak. They could see how much love I had for Alena and how much happier I was when she was around. They knew I was slowly

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Chapter 57

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leader but my men were loyal, they never considered my downfalls

before making my way back inside. My clothes drenched in water as I took off my shoes, feeling lifeless. I didn't realise the questions being asked by Angelo because I

Lerclerc?" Angelo called out, for a few times before catching

"Yes, Angelo?"

"Luca is here."

moment he saw me, he seemed surprised yet he didn't utter a single word except

the

Luca said, pointing at

good of you to

You didn't

what, Luc? Put a bullet in

a fucking asshole. Alexei's a

Sherlock," I muttered